Multiple form drive



FIG. I

Dec. 2, 1958 P. M. ALLEN 2,862,708

' MULTIPLE FORM DRIVE Filed Nov. 15, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 2 FIGS INVENTOR PHILIP M. ALLEN ATTO R N EYS Dec. 2, i958 P. M. ALLENY 2,862,708

MULTIPLE FORM DRIVE Filed Nov. 15, 1956 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 \NVENTOR PHILIP M. ALLEN ATTORNEYS distance MULTIPLE FORM DRIVE Philip Allen, Suffern, N. Y., assignor to Avon Products, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application November 15, 1956, Serial No. 622,474

15 Claims. (Cl. 2712.4)

The present invention relates to traction devices or drives for use in connection with invoicing or like machines, for advancing forms through the machine, and more particularly to an improved and simplified multiple form drive for advancing forms of different lengths through a machine while printing or other operations are simultaneously performed on the forms.

In connection with the preparation of invoices, shipping labels, etc., in conventional business machines, it is desirable to print as many forms as are necessary .in a single operation or cycle of operations of the business machine. For example, and not by Way of limitation, it is the practice of certain mail order and like houses, when preparing an invoice, to simultaneously print the purchasers name and address on the invoice and on the label or labels to be .used in shippingthe purchased articles. This is conventionally done by utilizing combination forms arranged so that as the purchasers name and address is applied to the original invoice a carbon ited States Patent impression is made upon a label blank affixed to or held small label blank to a considerably larger combination,

invoice blank involves additional expense in the manufacture of the blank. Likewise, the use of special inserts or full size sheets as label blanks unnecessarily increases the cost of the forms. Another disadvantage inherent in the present practice arises from the fact that, in many cases, an order to be prepared includes such a large variety of items that two or more invoice blanks are required to complete the entry. In such cases, with combination forms, the label blanks are merely wasted. This represents a substantial unnecessary cost in large-scale business operations.

In accordance with the present invention, a novel and improved form drive is provided, by means of which separate label and invoice forms may be advanced through the business machine in a manner such that during the operation of printing the purchasers name and address on the invoice a simultaneous imprint may be made on the shipping label, while during other times, when purchases or transactions are being entered on the invoice,

the labels may remain stationary. Thus, forms of both As a general rule, invoices and like business forms.

are prepared by a semi-automatic machine utilizing a punched data card which provides the information to be. supplied to the forms, including the name and address to be printed at the heading. The present invention contemplates the use of a machine of this type, and provides for the separate actuation or movement of label and invoice forms, for example, in such manner that the spacing of print on the separate forms may be the same, even though in a: complete cycle of operations the in-- voice form is advanced throughout a substantially greater than is the label form.

One of the specific features of the invention resides in anovel arrangement for driving the shorter one oftwo business forms in accordance with only a predetermined fraction of the operations of the business machine. With this arrangement, during a single cycle, wherein a long form, such as an invoice, is advanced through its length, a shorter form, such as a label, is also advanced throughout its length. However, when the traction device for the short form is in operation, it moves at the same speed as the traction device for the longer form, so that uniform spacing of the printed matter is achieved. This advantageous mode of operation is provided through the use of a novel and simplified mechanical drive system relating the form traction devices to operations of the business machine.

Another specific feature of the invention resides in a novel and simplified arrangement for rendering the short form traction device ineffective to advance the short forms during selected cycles of operation of the long form traction device. Thus, in an invoicing machine, for example, where two or more invoice forms may be required for posting a large number of entries for a single order, the label form drive may be rendered inoperative during movements of the additional invoice forms, so that unnecessary, extra labels are not advanced through the machine during invoicing of the single order.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation, with parts broken away, of a multiple form drive constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figs. 2 and 3 are cross-sectional views taken along lines 22 and 33, respectively, of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary end elevation of the form drive of Fig. l;

Fig. 5- is an enlarged framgentary cross-sectional View taken generally along line 55 of Fig. 3; and

Figs. 6 and 7 are fragmentary plan views of business forms of a type used in connection with the new form drive.

Referring now to the drawings, the new form drive includes a pair of spaced frame plates 10, 11 of a type suitable for mounting on a conventional business machine. The business machine, which in itself forms no part of the present invention, may be of a conventional type adapted for punch card or other semi-automatic control. Extending between the frame plates 10, 11 are a plurality of elongated frame rods 12-45 which are secured at their opposite ends in the plates 10, 11 and provide, in combination withthe frame plates, a rigid frame structure.

Mounted on one of the frame rods 13 is a bearing bracket 16 having a depending arm 17 mounting a bearing 18 at itsvlower end. At one side, the bearing 18 receives a first rotatable drive shaft 19, which is journaled at its opposite end in a bearing 20 mounted in the frame plate 11. Bearing 18 also receives one end of a second rotatable drive shaft .21, which is disposed in colinear realtion to the first drive shaft 19 and is journaled at its outer end by suitable bearing means, not specifically shown, carried by the lefthand frame plate 10.

Mounted on the first drive shaft 19, directly below the right-hand pair of sprockets 25, is a corresponding pair of sprockets 26. Entrained about the sprockets 25, 26 are belts 27 having pins or lugs 28 projecting outwardly therefrom. vThe belts27 are arranged to be driven by the lower sprocketsZfi, upon rotation of the drive shaft 19. A second set of sprockets, not specifically shown, are mounted on the second drive shaft 2;. and on sprocket supports cooperating therewith, and a pair of belts are entrained about the upper and lower sprocke s an adapted to be driven by rotation of the sec 21. Thus, it will be understood that the sprccke 26and belts 2'? operated by the first drive shaft 1% constitute the essential elements of a first form traction device generallydesignated by the numeral belts and sprocketsat the left-hand side of 18 form a second form traction device, generaliy des nated by the numeral 3%, which is driven by the second drive shaft 21. insofar as the present invention is concerned, the first and second traction devices 2@, 38 may be substantially identical, except that in the usual application of the invention one of the traction devices will be of greater width than the other.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the traction devices 2? are adapted to engage and support business forms Sr in such manner that the lugs 28 projecting from belts extend through openings at the edges of the busin s forms. Accordingly, upon rotation of the drive sl 19, 21 the forms 31, 32 will be advanced by the tra n devices. In the illustrated apparatus, as viewed in Fig. 3, 30 the drive shafts are adapted to rotate in a counterclockwise direction, whereby the forms are advanced in a generally upward direction. However, it will be understood that the forms may be advanced in either direction, depending on the manner in which the form drive is installed on the business machine.

conventionally, the traction devices 25, 3t may include hinged guide plates 33 arranged to extend over the edge portions of the business forms 31, 32 to retain the forms in proper engagement with the proiecting lugs 23. The guides 33 may be pivoted outwardly, when desired, to facilitate threading of business forms through the traction devices.

For operating the first drive shaft 19, the illustrated apparatus includes a gear 34 connected to the shaft 19 and adapted to be driven by a gear 35 operated by the business machine. Thus, as information is imparted to the business machine, by means of a punch card or other device, the form 33 may be indexed or advanced accordance with entries or other operations performed by the machine.

In the illustrated form of the invention, the form 31 may be an invoice, upon which the business mac ine imprints a purchasers name and address together with suitable descriptions, prices, etc. concerning transactions relating to the purchaser. Thus, as shown in Fig. 7, the form. 31 may have a heading portion as, in which the purchasers name and address is entered, and a body portion 37 in which the various transactions are entered. The forms 31 are provided in a continuous strip, having perforated top and bottom edges 31 by means of which individual forms may be separated after passing through the business machine and form drive.

Generally, in an appartus of the type herein concerned, a single punch card will contain all the information required to prepare a complete invoice. When the card is inserted in the business machine, the machine will first print the purchasers name, after which the gear 35 is rotated to advance the form a predetermined distance. After each subsequent line of printing the gear 35 is rotated to advance the invoice form to a new position for the making of an additional entry thereon.

During .the interval in which the purchasers name, address, etc- :iS printed in -,the heading 3,6 of 'the invoice form 31, a simultaneous printing of the identical informaspeeds.

tion is taking place upon one of the label forms 32. To this end, it is desirable that the indexing or advancing movement of the labels 32 be the same as that of the invoice form 31 during the printing of the name and address. However, during times when the invoice form 31 is advanced for the entry of transactions on the body portion 37 thereof, it is unnecessary and undesirable that the label forms 32 be advanced. Accordingly, a novel arrangement is provided for driving the label form traction device 3% whereby the labels are advanced during a predetermined portion only of the cycle of advancement I of the invoice forms 31.

Thus, in accordance with the invention, a transmission shaft 33 is supported by the frame plates 16, 11 and is adapted to be driven by the first drive shaft 19, through a it of gears 39, 40. The transmission shaft 33 is thereby provided with a direct driving connection with the business machine-operated gear 35, so as to be rotated in accordance with operations of the business machine; and in this respect, it will be understood that the exact arrangement of gearing illustrated herein may be altered substantially, provided that both the first drive shaft 1? and the transmission shaft 38 are driven in accordance with operations of the business machine.

Adjacent the left-hand end of the transmission shaft 38, as viewed in Fig. l, is a transmission gear '41 which, in accordance with the invention, is in the form of a segment of a circle. As shown in Fig. 2, the transmission gear 41 is adapted to mesh with a pinion 42 secured to the second drive shaft 21. The arrangement is such that when the transmission gear 41 and drive pinion 42 are meshed, rotation of the transmission shaft 38 will cause rotation of the ,second drive shaft 21 and advancement of the label forms 32 in the transmission device 30.

Advantageously, the driving ratio between the transmission gear 41 and drive gear 42 is the same as the rive ratio between gears 39 and as, so that when the transmission and drive gears 41, 42 are meshed the first and second drive shafts 19, 21 will rotate at the same However, in accordance with the invention, as the transmission shaft 33 rotates throughout a complete revolution, the gears 41, 42 will be out of mesh during most of the revolution so that no rotation of the second drive shaft 21 takes place.

in the illustrated form of the invention, the label forms 32 are provided in a continuous strip i3 (Fig. 6), and are of a length in the direction of the strip equal to onethird the length of the invoice form 31. Accordingly, the segmental transmission gear 41 has an effective driving face covering an arc equal to one-third of a complete circle. The timing of the transmission gear system is such that when the heading portion 36 of an invoice form is ready to be moved into printing position, the transmission gear 41, moving in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2, is starting to engage the drive gear 42. Thus, as the invoice form 31 is advanced during printing of its heading, by rotations of the first drive shaft 19, a label form 32 is advanced at the same rate of speed by rotations of the second drive shaft 21. As the invoice form 31 is indexed-to bring the body portion thereof into printing position, the segmental transmission gear 41 rotates out of meshing engagement with the drive gear 42, so that no further rotation of the second drive shaft 21 takes place during the subsequent 240 degrees of rotation of the transmission shaft 38. During a complete rotation of the transmission shaft an invoice form 31 is advanced throughout its length, so that when the transmission gear 41 next comes into engagement with the drive gear 42 the heading portion 36 of a new invoice form is ready for printing.

It will be understood, in respect of the foregoing, that the size of the labels with respect to the invoice forms is not in any way critical. The labels mayhave a length equal to auypredetermined fraction of the length of the invoice forms. It is import-ant, however, that the effec- 5. tive driving face of the segmental transmission and gear 41 cover the same predetermined fraction of a complete circle, so'that during advancement of the stripof invoice forms throughout the length of one invoice, the strip of label forms will be advanced throughout the length of one label, but at a rate of speed such that the spacing and print thereon will correspond to that on the invoice form. It will be understood, however, that the scope of this invention does not exclude arrangements wherein the spacing of print on the label and invoice forms may be slightly different. For example, it might be desirable in somelcases to space the lines of printing on the label 32 wider'apart than on the invoice form 33. In such cases, the drive ratio between the transmission and drive gears 41, 42 would be increased slightly, while the arc of the segment gear41 would be reduced proportionately. With this arrangement, a label one-third the length of the invoice form would be advanced throughout its length in slightly less than a third of a revolution of the transmission shaft 38.

Not infrequently, in the preparation of invoices of the type herein concerned, the number of transactions or entries to be noted on the invoice is such that the body portion of one form is of insufficient size. Accordingly, the business machine may conventionally be provided with a skip key (not shown) which may be depressed by the machine operator to cause the strip of forms to index a substantial distance to carry the heading portion of a second form past the printing line, allowing additional entries to be made on the body portion of a'second invoice form. Normally, when the heading portion of an invoice form is drawn'past the printing line of the business machine, a label form 32 is likewise indexed, so that printing may take place simultaneously on both forms. However, when the heading of an invoice form is skipped it is unnecessary and undesirable to index a label form, and the present invention provides a simplified arrangement for rendering the label form traction device 3i ineffective at such times.

Thus, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the frame plate 10 is provided with an elongated slot 44 therein, through which the left-hand end of the transmission shaft 38 extends; Slidably received in the slot 44 is a bearing member 45 which journals the end of the transmission shaft 38 adjacent the gear 41. in accordance with the invention, the bearing45 is adapted for sliding movement in the slot 44, and the direction of the slot is such that the sliding movement of the bearing is confined along an axis extending toward and away from the second drive shaft 2i. A spring 46 is attached at one end to the bearing 45 and at its other end to the frame plate 10, in a manner such that the bearing 45 is urged toward the drive shaft 21, to an extent permitted by the slot 44. Also attached to the bearing 45 is the armature of a solenoid 47 adapted for energization upondepressing of a skip key switch schematically indicated at 48. When the bearing is urged into its forward position by the spring 46', the axes of the transmission and drive shafts 38, 21 are so spaced that the gears 41, 42 may properly mesh, However, when the solenoid 47 is energized, bearing 45 is drawn rearwardly, to pull the shaft 3% away from the shaft 21 and prevent the gears 41, 42 from meshing.

Advantageously, only one end of the shaft 38 need be mounted in a movable bearing. The opposite or righthand end of the shaft may be mounted for limited pivot ing movement by means of a self-aligning bearing 49 of the type shown in Fig. 5. it will be observed in Figs. 1 and 5 that the gear 49, through which the transmission shaft is driven, is mounted closely adjacent to the self- I aligning bearing 49, so that thelimited movements of the 6 during times when the solenoid 47 is energized to draw the transmission gear 41 out of meshing engagement with the-drive gear 42.

Generally, the energizing circuit for the solenoid 47 by the driving gear 42. Of course, the transmission shaft 33 is at all times retained in driving relation to the business machine, so that the separate strips of forms remain in the desired register notwithstanding the occasional skipping of the label index mechanism.

One of the outstanding advantages of the new multiple form drive resides in the fact that independentstrips or rolls of form blanks may be employed, which permits of the use of simplified and inexpesive forms, and provides for maximum economy in the use thereof. Thus, in an invoicing machine, for example, it is possible to utilize a regular invoice form and an independent label form, where the labels are only a fraction of the length of the invoice forms. However, while under normal circumstances a label form is advanced throughout its length during the advancement of each of the longer index forms throughout their length, a unique arrangement is provided whereby the spacing of print on the label form may be the same as that on the invoice form. This is accomplished by the provision of a novel transmission system whereby the label traction device is driven only during a predetermined portion of the cycle of movement of the invoice form traction device. At the same time, strips of forms of both types are maintained in a predetermined registry.

Another advantageous feature of the new form drive resides in the novel skip mechanism whereby, in cases where two or more invoice forms are required to enter the transactions of a single purchaser, only a single indexing of the label forms takes place.

The new form drive mechanism is of a generally simplified construction, and incorporates many standard features common to ordinary form drive devices. Thus, the traction devices 29 and 30 are of standard design, as are certain parts of the frame structure. Accordingly, the improved multiple form drive 'is readily adapted for incorporation in business machines of existing design.

It should be understood, however, that the specific device illustrated and described herein is intended to be representative only, as certain changes may be made therein without departing from the clear teachings of the invention. For example, it is contemplated that the drive for the short form may comprise a clutch device, which engages to drive the short form in response to an 'opera- I date forms of different length, as will be understood.

Accordingly, reference should be made to the following appended claims in determining the full scope of the invention.

I clairn:

1. A multiple form drive for advancing forms of different lengths in an invoicing or like machine, comprising a first traction device for engaging a long form, a second traction device for engaging a short form having a length equal to a predetermined fraction of the length of said long form, a first drive shaft for operating said first traction device, a second drive shaft for operating said second traction device, drive means for rotating said first drive shaft in accordance with operations of said machine, a transmission shaft associated with said drive means and rotated thereby in predetermined relation to rotations of said first drive shaft, a drive gear secured to said second drive shaft, and a transmission gear secured to said transmissionshatt and adapted to mesh with said drive gear, said drive and transmission gears being of a ratio such that when said gears are enmeshed said second traction device is operative to advance said short form at the same rate said long form is advanced by said first traction device, said transmission gear having a segmental effective driving face covering a portion of a complete circle equal to said predetermined fraction.

2. The multiple form drive of claim 1, characterized by said first drive shaft and said transmission shaft having interconnecting gearmeans whereby said transmission shaft is driven by said first drive shaft, said gear means being of a ratio equal to the ratio of said drive and transmission gears.

3. The multiple form drive of claim 1, Which includes means for moving said drive and transmission gears out of driving relation while maintaining the driving relation between said transmission gear and said drive means.

4. The multiple form driveof claim 1, in which said transmission shaft is movably supported, and which includes selectively operable actuator means connectedto said transmission shaft and adapted to move said shaft to carry the said transmission gear out of meshing relationship with said drive gear.

5. The multiple form drive of claim 4, characterized by said transmission gear being mounted adjacent one end of said transmission shaft, said transmission shaft being movably mounted at said one end, the other end or said transmission shaft being mounted for limited swinging movement to accommodate movement of said one end of said transmission shaft, said transmission shaft being engaged with said drive means adjacent the said other end of said transmission shaft.

6. A multiple form drive for advancing forms of different lengths in an invoicing or like machine, comprising a first traction device for engaging a long form, a second traction device for engaging a short form of a leng equal to a predetermined fraction of the length of said long form, means for operating said first traction device in accordance with operations of said machine, a trans mission shaft associated with said first traction device and rotatable in accordance with operations thereof, a segmental transmission gear mounted on said transmission shaft, and means including a drive gear adapted to mesh with said transmission gear for operating said second traction device, said transmission gear having 21 segmental eifectivedriving face covering a portion of a complete circle equal to said predetermined fraction.

7. The multiple form drive of claim 6, characterized by said drive and transmission gears being of a ratio such that when said gears are enmeshed said second'traction device is operative to advance said short form at the same rate said long form is advanced by said first traction device.

8. The multiple form drive of claim 6, including selectively operable means for rendering said transmission gear inefiective to rotate said drive gear during certain revolutions of said transmission shaft.

9. The multiple form drive of claim 8, characterized by said selectively operable means comprising a solenoid device connected with one of said gears and operable selectively to move said gears out of meshing engagement.

10. A multiple form drive for advancing form of different lengths in an invoicing or like machine, comprising a first traction device for engaging a long form, a second traction device for engaging a short form of a length equal to a predetermined fraction of the length of said long form, means for operating said first traction device in accordance with operations of said machine, and transmission means interconnecting said first and second traction devices and effective during each cycle of movement of said first traction device wherein one of said long forms is advanced throughout its length to operate said second traction device during a preselected portion only of said cycle, said transmission means so relating said first and second traction devices that a short form is advanced throughout its length during said preselected portion of a cycle.

11. The multiple form drive of claim 10, characterized by said transmission means including a rotatable member adapted throughout a predetermined portion of a rotation thereof to operate said second traction device, said rotatable member being inoperative during other portions of a revolution thereof to operate said second traction device.

12. The multiple form drive of claim 11, characterized by said transmission means being adapted when operating said second traction device to move said short form at the same rate of speed said long form is moved by said first traction device.

13. The multiple form drive of claim 10, characterized by said transmission means including a member adapted for cyclical movement and operative during a predetermined portion only of its cycle of movement to operate said second traction device.

14. A multiple form drive for advancing forms of different lengths in an invoicing or like machine, comprising a first traction device for engaging and moving a long form, a second traction device for engaging and moving a short form of a length equal to a predetermined fraction of the length of said long form, drive means for operating said first traction device in accordance with operations of said machine and through cycles in which a long form is advanced in increments throughout its length, and transmission means interconnecting said first and second traction devices and effective to operate said second traction device in predetermined speed relation to said first traction device during a predetermined portion only of each cycle of operation of said first traction device, said second traction device being inoperative during other portions of each cycle, said short form being advanced in increments throughout its length during said predetermined cycle portion.

15. The multiple form drive of claim 14, characterized by said transmission means being effective when operating said second traction device to move said short form at a speed equal to the speed at which said long form is moved by said first traction device. 

